A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Petra vs. Haifa for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Petra or Haifa?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Petra and Haifa can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Petra or Haifa?

Petra

Whether you're checking off the Seven Wonders of the World, or you're just a huge Indiana Jones fan, the city of Petra must be on your bucket list. The "rose red city, half as old as time," was the capital of the Nabataean kingdom in the 6th century BC. It was the center for trade and commerce until an earthquake took out buildings and destroyed their water management system. After this destruction, the city of Petra seemed to be lost to western civilization.

Haifa

Located on the northern Mediterranean coast of Israel, Haifa is Israel's third largest city. It is also a beautiful and strategically located city near the border with Lebanon. The population of Haifa, which is approximately 300,000, is surprisingly diverse. There are Jews, Muslim, and Christian Arabs throughout the city. While Haifa is an industrial city with a strong work ethic and a good job base, it is also a beautiful city with many gardens and a stunning coastline. Today the job base has increasingly become technology based with some large companies such as Google and Microsoft offering employment in the area. Haifa University is also the country's top technology university.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Jordan, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Jordan, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Israel, and The Best Cultural Tours in Israel.


Which place is cheaper, Haifa or Petra?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Petra is $125, while the average daily cost in Haifa is $123. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Petra and Haifa in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Petra $59
    Haifa $74
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Petra $118
    Haifa $148
Compare Hotels in Petra and Haifa

Looking for a hotel in Petra or Haifa? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Petra


Hotels in Haifa


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Petra Hotel Prices and Haifa Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Petra $23
    Haifa $4.93

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Petra

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Petra:

  • Private transfer Petra to/from Wadi Rum: $118
  • Private Transfer from Petra City Hotels to Aqaba Airport: $93
  • Private Transfer Petra to/from Wadi Rum: $135
  • Private Transfer From Petra to Amman or Airport With Optional : $99
  • Private Transfer Amman Airport to Petra or vice versa via the King's Highway: $120
  • Private Transfer Amman Airport to Ma'in Hotel and vice versa: $73
  • Private Departure Transfer: Petra Hotels to Amman Airport: $93
  • Petra to Wadi Rum Private Transfer: $80
  • Petra to Sheikh Hussein Crossing Border Private Transfer: $180
  • Petra to Madaba Private Transfer: $140
  • Petra to Aqaba South Beach Hotels Private Transfer: $110
  • Petra Private Transfer to or from Aqaba: $105

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Haifa

Also for Haifa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Haifa Cruise Port to Tel Aviv Airport (TLV): $173
  • Private Transfer from Haifa Cruise Port to Tel Aviv City: $173
  • Transfers all over the Holyland: Haifa, TLV, Airport, JLM, Jordan: $195

Is it cheaper to fly into Petra or Haifa?

Prices for flights to both Haifa and Petra change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Petra $38
    Haifa $44
Typical Food Prices in Petra

Some typical examples of dining costs in Petra are as follows:


  • Dinner for Two
    $12
  • Juice
    $1.76

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Petra

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Petra.

  • Cooking outside in little Petra between the Mountains. : $45
  • Private Outdoor bedouin Dinner in Petra: $300

Typical Food Prices in Haifa

For Haifa, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Dinner
    $27

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Petra $47
    Haifa $5.68
Typical Entertainment Prices in Petra

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Petra are as follows:


  • Entry to Petra for One
    $71

Tours and Activities in Petra

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Petra are as follows:

  • 3 Hour Horse Riding Adventure around the Petra Area: $145
  • 3-hour Private Guided Tour In Petra with hotel pick up.: $75
  • Petra Back Entrance Private Walking Tour: $215
  • Private Back Trail Tour of Petra starting from the Monastery : $276
  • Private Full-Day Tour to Petra and Wadi Rum from Dead Sea: $269
  • Private Half-Day Tour of Petra with Lunch: $120
  • Private Indiana-Jones Archeological Trail Tour: $90
  • Private Petra Back Entrance Tour with Guide .: $140
  • Wadi Rum Day Tour from Petra ending in Aqaba: $138
  • Wadi Rum Private Tour from Petra with Martian and Star Wars Film Site: $173

Tours and Activities in Haifa

For Haifa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Haifa Port Shore Excursion: Nazareth and Sea of Galilee Day Tour from Haifa Port: $120
  • Haifa Private Tour: $160
  • Haifa, Acre & Rosh Anikra Grottos Haifa Port FullDay Shared Tour: $231
  • Jerusalem & Bethlehem Tour from Haifa Port. Private Tour: $248
  • Jerusalem & Bethlehem Tour from Haifa Port 2024 - Small Group: $255
  • Romantic Walking Tour In Haifa for Couples: $290
  • Full Day Tour to Nazareth and the Sea of Galilee: $290
  • Christianity Day Tour: Haifa Port to Nazareth and Sea of Galilee : $295
  • Haifa Port: Full-Day Christianity Cruise to Galilee: $388
  • Haifa, Acre and Rosh Anikra for Cruises with Licensed Guide: $405
  • Caesarea, Haifa, Acre, Rosh Hanikra Private Day Tour: $700
  • Wine private tour of Central Israel: $949

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Petra $15
    Haifa $13


When comparing the travel costs between Petra and Haifa, we can see that Petra is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Middle East, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Petra Expensive? and Is Haifa Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Petra or Haifa?

Haifa has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Petra. When comparing the sizes of Petra and Haifa, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Petra or Haifa?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Petra or Haifa in the Summer?

Both Haifa and Petra during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Petra because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Haifa year-round.

Petra usually gets less rain in July than Haifa. Petra gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Haifa receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Haifa, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Petra. In the summer, Petra often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Haifa. Petra gets 384 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Haifa receives 364 hours of full sun.

The heat can be very extreme in Petra. In the summer, Petra is a little warmer than Haifa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Petra in July average around 33°C (91°F), and Haifa averages at about 27°C (81°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Petra 33°C (91°F) 
    Haifa 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Petra or Haifa in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Petra and Haifa. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Petra year-round. Haifa attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In October, Petra usually receives less rain than Haifa. Petra gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Haifa receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Haifa this time of the year. In Petra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Petra usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Haifa during autumn. Petra gets 295 hours of sunny skies, while Haifa receives 274 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Petra is generally a little warmer than Haifa. Daily temperatures in Petra average around 27°C (80°F), and Haifa fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Petra 27°C (80°F) 
    Haifa 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Petra or Haifa in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Petra as well as Haifa. Petra attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Haifa throughout the year.

It's quite rainy in Haifa. Petra usually gets less rain in January than Haifa. Petra gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Haifa receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Petra this time of the year. In the winter, Petra often gets more sunshine than Haifa. Petra gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Haifa receives 184 hours of full sun.

Petra is around the same temperature as Haifa in the winter. The daily temperature in Petra averages around 15°C (59°F) in January, and Haifa fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Petra 15°C (59°F) 
    Haifa 14°C (57°F)

Should I visit Petra or Haifa in the Spring?

Both Haifa and Petra are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Petra throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Haifa because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In April, Petra usually receives less rain than Haifa. Petra gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Haifa receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

It's quite sunny in Haifa. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Petra. Petra usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Haifa during spring. Petra gets 282 hours of sunny skies, while Haifa receives 269 hours of full sun in the spring.

In the spring, Petra is a little warmer than Haifa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Petra in April average around 25°C (76°F), and Haifa averages at about 19°C (66°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Petra 25°C (76°F) 
    Haifa 19°C (66°F)

Typical Weather for Haifa and Petra

Petra Haifa
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 15°C (59°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 14°C (57°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Feb 17°C (62°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 13°C (55°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Mar 20°C (68°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 16°C (61°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Apr 25°C (76°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 19°C (66°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
May 28°C (83°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Jun 31°C (88°F) 0 mm (0 in) 25°C (77°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Jul 33°C (91°F) 0 mm (0 in) 27°C (81°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Aug 32°C (90°F) 0 mm (0 in) 28°C (82°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Sep 30°C (87°F) 0 mm (0 in) 25°C (77°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Oct 27°C (80°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 24°C (75°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Nov 21°C (70°F) 15 mm (0.6 in) 20°C (68°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Dec 16°C (62°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 15°C (59°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)